Windows Terminal is now the default console for Windows 11 22H2, marking a significant change in how Windows users run their command line programs
See also: Windows Terminal: Support for creating custom themes
Windows users have been running console programs in the Windows command line for years.
However, that changed in 2019 when Microsoft introduced its first tabbed console version of Windows Terminal.
For those who regularly worked at the command line, whether in WSL, PowerShell , or the regular command line, Windows Terminal brought a new customizable interface that catered to users and developers.
Using Windows Terminal, users could create profiles for different consoles, custom themes, and a command palette that allowed for quick launch of commands in a console.
Microsoft recently announced that all Windows 11 console programs will automatically launch in Windows Terminal by default
See also: Windows 11 Dev build: Windows Terminal is now the default
As announced by Kayla Cinnamon, Microsoft Program Manager: “The day has finally arrived! Windows Terminal is now the default command line experience in Windows 11 22H2!”.
“This means that all command line applications will now automatically open in Windows Terminal“
To make Windows Terminal the default console program in Windows 11, you must be using version 1.15 or later and have installed today's optional preview update KB5019509.
If you don't want to use Windows Terminal as your default program , you can go to Settings > Privacy & Security > For Developers and change the Terminal setting from 'Let Windows decide' to 'Windows Console Host'.
See also: Windows Terminal can now automatically launch profiles as Administrator
When you make this change, Command Prompt will once again become the default console program in Windows 11.
